Open Peer Commentary

John L. Lockea1

a1 Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, Lehman College, City University of New York, Bronx, NY 10468. john.locke@lehman.cuny.edu

Abstract

An important form of innovation involves use of the voice in a new way, usually to solve some environmental problem. Vocal innovation occurs in humans and other animals, including chimpanzees. The framework outlined in the target article, appropriately modified, may permit new perspectives on the use of others as tools, especially by infants, and the evolution of speech and language.